Account Executive, Brand Experience, Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn•Chicago, IL

8d•$57,000 - $67,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Ruder Finn, Brand Experience is where bold ideas meet business impact. We create integrated campaigns that connect brands with people through culture, creativity, earned influence, and unforgettable experiences. We believe the best work comes from curious minds, collaborative teams, and people who aren't afraid to challenge convention – or have some fun while doing it. We’re looking for an Account Executive to support account teams and help bring client programs to life through account coordination, writing, research, media relations, monitoring, reporting, trend spotting and project management. This is a client-facing role for someone who is detail-oriented, curious, organized, and excited by brands across industries such as food, wellness, lifestyle, CPG and retail. This team member will contribute to client work and support the growth of existing engagements. Just as importantly, you'll help shape the culture of our practice. We value people who ask great questions, embrace new perspectives, experiment with fresh ideas, and believe that the strongest teams are built on trust, generosity, and a shared sense of purpose. We work hard, celebrate wins, learn from every challenge, and genuinely enjoy creating great work together. If you're energized by fast-moving brands, love tracking trends and pop culture, and want to help define what's next for modern brand communications, we'd love to meet you.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field preferred.
1+ year of relevant experience in public relations, communications, marketing, brand experience, or a related field; agency experience and consumer/brand sector experience preferred.
Solid understanding of basic public relations tools and how they support client goals, including media monitoring, media lists, pitching, research, reporting, writing, and account coordination.
Interest in consumer brands and categories such as retail, food, wellness, lifestyle, pets, CPG, parenting, consumer tech, and culture-driven brands.
Ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively, both in writing and verbally.
Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills, with attention to accuracy, AP Style, deadlines, and client-ready quality.
Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to prioritize assignments, manage multiple deadlines, and keep teams informed on progress.
Responsive and professional in communication with clients, colleagues, vendors, media, creators, and third parties across written, phone, video, and in-person settings.
Base understanding of media relations and interest in developing relationships with journalists, editors, producers, podcasters, newsletter writers, creators, and other relevant contacts.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, sometimes unpredictable environment where priorities shift and proactive communication matters.
Curious and culturally aware, with a habit of keeping a pulse on news, trends, communities, and emerging conversations that may create opportunities for clients.
Collaborative team player who contributes to brainstorms, meetings, professional development activities, and team goals with positivity and ownership.
Entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented, with the ability to ask for clarity, identify potential issues, build on others' ideas, and elevate questions or concerns appropriately.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and presentation tools; familiarity with research and media platforms such as Cision is preferred.
Curiosity and comfort using emerging technologies and AI tools responsibly to support communications planning, research, workflows, and deliverables.

Nice To Haves

Agency experience and consumer/brand sector experience preferred.
Familiarity with research and media platforms such as Cision is preferred.
Curiosity and comfort using emerging technologies and AI tools responsibly to support communications planning, research, workflows, and deliverables.

Responsibilities

Support account teams in delivering outstanding client experiences across consumer brands.
Build a strong understanding of each client's business, products, services, industry issues, competitors, audiences, cultural context, and communications goals.
Create and manage account materials and processes, including status reports, project trackers, agendas, call recaps, monthly activity reports, media monitoring reports, coverage trackers, and timelines.
Proactively alert team members to upcoming deliverables, deadlines, client requests, and shifting priorities to help keep work moving smoothly.
Support the development of client-ready materials, including press releases, media pitches, briefing documents, key messages, social content, reports, research summaries, and presentation materials.
Edit and proofread written materials for accuracy, clarity, quality, AP Style, client preferences, and consistency with previously shared feedback or direction.
Participate actively in internal and client meetings, conference calls, brainstorms, planning sessions, and team discussions.
Support earned media relations activities on behalf of clients, including media list development, pitch drafting, media outreach, follow-up, and tracking responses and coverage.
Develop and maintain working knowledge of media relations across key client verticals and formats, including online, print, broadcast, podcasts, newsletters, social platforms, and relevant creators.
Proactively bring media pitch ideas, cultural observations, and timely trend opportunities to account leads and the broader BX practice.
Conduct research, competitive analysis, landscape audits, media audits, social listening, and trend scans, then distill critical information into clear takeaways for teams and clients.
Support influencer, creator, experiential, event, partnership, and brand moment workstreams as needed, including research, outreach tracking, logistics, recap materials, and reporting.
Work with team members to respond to ad hoc client requests and ensure assignments are completed accurately and on time.
Collaborate with the BX team and the wider Ruder Finn global network across select clients, projects, and integrated workstreams.
Take ownership of assigned tasks, ask smart questions, flag issues early, and offer solutions or alternatives when challenges arise.
Delegate appropriately to Assistant Account Executives and Executive Trainees when needed, including setting clear expectations, deadlines, and next steps.
Has strong attention to detail and project management skills.
Contribute to the positive, collaborative, and supportive culture and spirit of the Brand Experience practice.
Support new business efforts as needed, including research, media monitoring, competitive analysis, landscape audits, brainstorm participation, and pitch deck development.
Accurately account for and submit time, expenses, and POs to the correct project tasks in a timely manner.
Actively seek feedback, participate in the performance management process, and pursue professional development opportunities.
Use tools such as Microsoft Office, presentation software, research platforms, Cision, social/search tools, and emerging technologies to create accurate, high-quality deliverables.